First Fruit: The Creation of the Flavr Savr Tomato and the Birth of Biotech Foods

In 1994 a little California biotech startup called Calgene introduced the Flavr Savr(tm) tomato, the first genetically engineered whole food ever brought to market, and laid the groundwork for the entire agricultural biotechnology industry. In a fast-paced narrative full of colorful characters, surprising twists and turns, and several eye-opening revelations, Belinda Martineau chronicles the story behind the making of the Flavr Savr(tm), from its conception, through its much-heralded introduction to market, and its ignominious disappearance. As a member of the Calgene team that developed the Flavr Savr(tm) and secured its regulatory approval, Martineau underwent a transformation from an enthusiastic believer in biotechnology's promise to a battle-weary skeptic. Her account serves as a cautionary tale for the biotech age, offering a revealing look at how the science of genetic engineering is actually done, how corporate decisions are really made in biotech startups, and how the regulatory system in the U.S. does and doesn't work. Most importantly, First Fruit goes beyond the polarized debate currently surrounding genetically modified foods to illustrate both the benefits and the risks of this new technology. 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ignominious disappearance. Her account serves as a cautionary tale for the biotech age, offering a revealing look at how the science of genetic engineering is actually done, how corporate decisions are really made in biotech start-ups, and how the regulatory system in the United States does and doesn't work. Most important, "First Fruit goes beyond the polarized debate currently surrounding genetically modified foods to illustrate both the benefits and the risks of this new technology.' to 'In 1994 a little biotech firm called Calgene introduced the Flavr Savr tomato, the first genetically-engineered food brought to market. Belinda Martineau served on the scientific team that developed the Flavr Savr, and when Calgene voluntarily submitted its product for FDA and USDA approval, Martineau provided most of the scientific evidence that led to its certification as safe for human consumption. She concurred with Calgene's belief that the approval process would inform the public of the pros and cons of genetically-modified foods. Yet ultimately the process of engineering the Flavr Savr and bringing it to market made her question the validity of the product. The Flavr Savr was generally accepted by the public, despite some fierce opposition by environmentalists and consumer advocates, yet it did not prove to be commercially viable.' Belinda Martineau chronicles the story behind the making of the Flavr Savr "TM" tomato, from its conception, through its much-heralded introduction to market and its subsequent ignominious disappearance. Her account serves as a cautionary tale for the biotech age, offering a revealing look at how the science of genetic engineering is actually done, how corporate decisions are really made in biotech start-ups, and how the regulatory system in the United States does and doesn't work. Most important, First fruit goes beyond the polarized debate currently surrounding genetically modified foods to illustrate both the benefits and the risks of this new technology A look at the making of the Flavr Savr tomato, the first genetically engineered whole food ever brought to market, from its conception to its disappearance. The author reveals how genetic engineering is really done and how the regulatory system does and does not work. In early 1988 the word's first genetically engineered whole food, the Flavr Sarv tomato (or, rather, its prototype), was-literally and figuratively-barely alive.